Claire Sexton '22 was announced in July 2024 as the fifth head coach of the King University Acrobatics & Tumbling program. 

Sexton was a four-year athlete for the Tornado, earning NCATA All-America honors following her senior year, becoming just the fourth Tornado to earn the honor. She earned a pair of All-Conference Carolinas honors, including a first team selection in 2022, a season where she helped the Tornado to a program record score in the compulsory pyramid event in an upset win over #11 West Liberty. During her time at King, she was a part of seven program records being set, including four in the 2021 season.

Academically, Sexton was part of the Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholars Program, as well as the Jack E. Sniders Honors Program at King. She also was the President of the Tornado Leadership Academy from 2019 through her graduating in 2022. She also was a student worker in the Student Life department at King.

After graduating, Sexton has been working at Positively Gymnastics in Lebanon, Va., coaching upper-level gymnastics. She previously was a coach with Shooting Stars Gymnastics in Hickory, N.C. from 2018 through 2021.

A native of Connelly Springs, N.C., Sexton earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from King in 2022, and has worked in various accounting jobs.